The Vermont State Police arrested four people on charges of criminal trespass and resisting arrest Thursday morning, May 14, after they declined to leave a private office building in Williston.
The individuals arrested are:
- Aiden Balentine, 39, of Montpelier.
- Casey Seem, 20, of Oakham, Massachusetts.
- Peter Booth, 58, of Jericho.
- Henry Prensky, 79, of Burlington.
The individuals were among a group of people who entered the building to protest federal agencies — including Immigration and Customs Enforcement — that occupy space there alongside private businesses and a medical office. The building owner said the individuals were trespassing, refused to leave when asked, and requested that police remove them from the property.
State police, working in conjunction with the Williston Police Department, responded and spoke with protest leaders. That discussion led to several people leaving the inside of the building while others indicated they’d need to be arrested. The four individuals identified above refused to comply with arrest procedures and required physical police intervention and separation tactics. Additionally, each refused compliance with fingerprinting and photographing procedures.
The four individuals were cited to appear at 8:30 a.m. June 30 in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Burlington to answer to the above charges.